When Pizza Becomes an Experiment: What Really Happens in the Body When You Eat Too Much?

A recent study by British scientists, conducted on a group of healthy young men between the ages of 22 and 37, closely examined what happens to our bodies after consuming almost twice as much food as usual. They used pizza, which most people are willing to eat in considerable amounts. The average calorie intake during a decent binge exceeded 3,000 kilocalories (kcal) – which is more than the daily recommendation for adult men, which ranges from 2,000 to 2,500 calories per day, depending on physical activity.

Interestingly, after such a meal, the participants had almost completely normal blood glucose (sugar) values – meaning that their pancreas and hormones were still working efficiently. Insulin, the hormone that lowers blood sugar, was about 50% higher, which is expected since the body had to quickly restore balance.

But where is the catch?

Although the body can handle occasional overeating quite well, this does not mean that this way of eating is without risk. Experts warn that regular overeating leads to quite serious problems: obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. The World Health Organization estimates that as many as 39% of adults worldwide are overweight, with 13% being obese (data from 2022).

The Surprising Adaptability of Our Body

One of the most interesting findings of the study is that participants, after a meal almost twice as large as usual, had only slightly elevated levels of blood fats – specifically triglycerides and free fatty acids. This is unexpected, as many previous studies have shown that even moderate fat intake quickly raises these values.

The explanation? A healthy body has effective mechanisms for storing and processing excess energy – mainly by storing it in fat cells. And that’s where the long-term problem lies. Every time we eat too much, the body neatly and quietly stores the excess for hard times – although, to be honest, those times hardly ever come.

What about hormones and the brain?

The study also showed that, after overeating, the levels of certain hormones that regulate the feeling of fullness and metabolism changed significantly. We're talking about GLP-1 and peptide YY – these are hormones secreted by the gut, helping the brain understand that we've had enough. The body thus responds as if saying: That was more than enough!

Interestingly, four hours after the meal, participants felt sleepy and had no desire for more food – not even for sweets, which usually trigger the so-called reward systems in the brain. These systems in the brain act like an inner candy – when we eat something sweet, we get a feeling of pleasure. This time, however, the brain said: No, thank you. Let's process the pizza first.

What does folk wisdom say?

If we look at folk tradition, we’ll see that our ancestors didn’t have studies, but still knew: A full stomach, an empty head. An old proverb, which is actually very wise. Even Hildegard of Bingen, a German Benedictine and herbalist from the 12th century, warned against heavy and abundant meals, which were said to stifle both the spirit and the body. In folk medicine, overeating was attributed to many troubles – from sleepiness and bad mood to metabolic disorders.

Folk remedies often included bitters – herbs such as wormwood, centaury, dandelion, or angelica. These herbs stimulate bile and digestive juices, helping the body digest larger quantities of food more effectively. Bitters are known to open up and regulate digestion. As an old saying goes: Bitterness in the mouth – health in the belly.

What happens in the body?

When you eat too much, the body first triggers a satiety signal. Then the pancreas begins to release more insulin to balance blood sugar. The liver speeds up processing excess nutrients, some are used, but most are stored – in fat tissue. If this doesn't happen often, the body quickly regains balance. But if it becomes a habit, the body starts accumulating energy, metabolism slows down, hormones get confused, and it’s easy to slip into a vicious cycle of overeating and increased body weight.

What do the studies say?

A study published in The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition years ago showed that people can easily eat 30–50% more calories in one meal if the food is more palatable and available in larger quantities. In another study published in Obesity Reviews, researchers found that overeating triggers a short-term euphoria similar to that produced by psychoactive substances – meaning that we can get addicted to the feeling of fullness. And that’s what quickly leads us to trouble.

The body can handle a lot, but only up to a point

Scientists say the body is extremely adaptable – it can digest enormous amounts of food, maintain stable blood sugar and fats, even regulate appetite with the help of hormones. But that doesn’t mean it’s smart to do it often. One meal, even if huge, likely won’t leave consequences. But more such meals, week after week, year after year – and the body won’t be able to resist anymore.

If you really do indulge too much – for example, during holidays or at a birthday party – don’t worry. But the next day, listen to your body: rest, drink plenty of fluids, maybe some dandelion, wormwood, or fennel tea (also good against bloating), and eat less food. Your body will be grateful.

And one more thing: if someone tells you next time that you ate too much – you can answer with a smile: my body can handle it, but only if I leave it alone afterwards.

Information on this website is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice.